ANNE
I used to hear that you were fond of another girl.

JAMES
I was fond of the girl that used to be in the newspaper shop
in the town.

ANNE
And used you to talk with her?

JAMES The elbows were worn out of my coat with leaning on the counter to talk with her.  But she married a policeman after that.  He was a friend of mine, too.  It was me that got him the words and music for “I’ll hang my harp on a willow tree”—­a song that he was always looking for.

ANNE
Did you make any songs about the girl?

JAMES
I did not.

ANNE
Oh, James, I’m glad of that.  I’m glad you made no songs about her.

JAMES
Are you content to marry me in the town of Ardagh, after the
Feis, as Maire wishes?

ANNE
It will be strange to be married in Ardagh, away from the
people I know.

JAMES
It will be lucky getting married after the Feis.

ANNE
James, it’s a great trial for a girl to face marriage; but,
James, I’m very fond of you.

  James kisses her.

JAMES
I don’t know what to think of them writers who say that the
Irish girls haven’t the heart for love.

ANNE
Is Maire outside?

JAMES
She went out.

ANNE
It’s a wonder that Brian MacConnell isn’t here before this.

  Anne rises.  Maire comes in.

ANNE
Is there no one coming here?

MAIRE
There is no one on the road.

ANNE
Brian MacConnell is late in coming.

  Maire comes up to the fire.  Anne stands with her.  James goes to
  entrance, and remains looking out.

MAIRE
I saw Brian yesterday.

ANNE
And did you tell him that you were going at the sunset?

MAIRE
I told him we were going in the evening.

ANNE
Maybe you were distant with Brian?

MAIRE
He looked like a man that something had happened to.  Connor
Gilpatrick came up, and then I went away.

  Conn Hourican comes out of room.  He has left the greatcoat in room. 
  He brings the fiddle with him.  Maire and Anne go to the settle.  They
  talk.

JAMES (to Conn) What would you think of a row of trees planted before the door?

  Conn leaves fiddle on dresser, and comes to him.

CONN
They might be very becoming, James.

JAMES
My father was saying that the front looked very bare.

CONN
A row of trees, when they’d grow, would make a great difference.

JAMES
That’s what my father was saying.

  They talk, Conn leaning on the half-door.

ANNE
I’m glad to be here.  It would be very strange for me to be
married, and in another house.

MAIRE
I was thinking, Anne, that father and myself ought to stay a
while on the road, till you and James get settled here.